Homeless Syrians beg on Ethiopia’s streets

Homeless Syrians and refugees who fled to the horn of Africa’s country in Ethiopia from their war torn country that has forced over 13 million to flee their homes have turned to begging in the streets of Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa.

One refuge and asylum seekers Anas Mahamat from Syria says he seats on the streets from dawn to sunset looking for assistance with entire his family.

Each day, Mahamat holds a sign in Amharic saying: “We are your brothers, we fled from Syria. We are in dire conditions. We ask you to help us in God’s name.”

Mahamat just like most Syrians refugees arrived in Ethiopia a few months ago. But, the government doesn’t know how many they are, though it says it has started to register them.

Sadly Mahamat noted: “We are trying to survive. We beg in the streets close to traffic lights and in mosques. I wish we were not doing this but we have no other option,”

One volunteer Aisha Mohamed has taken up tools to help the homeless Syrians.

She said: “They are helpless people. We are helping them when they come here. We give them blankets, food, and clothes. We are also asking others to help. They have children and don’t understand [local] language.”